Secular Jinnah: Munir's Big Hoax Exposed
by Saleena Karim
Published by Exposure Publishing, 25th October 2005, ISBN 1905363753
One of the most famous books in Pakistan, the late Chief Justice Muhammad Munir's From Jinnah to Zia (1979) has finally received the ultimate rebuttal from a British-born Asian - using only one piece of evidence. Saleena Karim tells the story of how a point of curiosity - based on little more than an issue of grammar - led her to the startling discovery that a quote used by Munir and attributed to Jinnah is in fact a fake. Furthermore this quote has also been used by a number of Pakistani professional writers and scholars, none of whom have thought to check the original transcript of the interview Munir supposedly quoted from.
Over twenty-five years after the release of From Jinnah to Zia, the author shows us how much damage the 'Munir quote' has done - not only in terms of twisting the facts of history, but now in exposing the intellectual dishonesty of Pakistani scholarship. Saleena Karim names those who have quoted Munir, as well as discussing the other myths about the founder of Pakistan, Mohammad Ali Jinnah, and sets the record straight.
About the Author
Saleena Karim is a British Asian writer with a BSc (Hons) in Human Biology from Loughborough University. She has worked as a literary columnist and editor, and has also translated some Urdu Islamic works into English, including Economic System of the Holy Quran (2005) and Liberty as defined in the Quran (2004). She has recently completed the translation of the book Quran aur Pakistan (2003) and is submitting it for publication. She is currently working on two other books as well as on other writing projects.
Reviews
"The study of Mr. Jinnah, the Quaid-i-Azam of Pakistan, is crucially important in understanding the debate about Islam and Democracy in our post 9/11 world. Saleena Karim's book is essential reading to understand Jinnah. I strongly recommend it."
Prof. Akbar S. Ahmed, Ibn Khaldun Chair of Islamic Studies, American University, Washington D.C. (Prof. Ahmed is a leading authority on Jinnah, best known for his 'Jinnah Quartet'.)
"... You have brought forth a highly professional little book, from the get-up to the content. You are a blessed and gifted lady with much promise for the future. ... (The book) will be revered by scholars and future researchers, thereby making a lasting room for itself in the realm of knowledge, especially about Quaid-e-Azam and "PAKISTANIAAT"."
Dr. Shabbir Ahmed, reknowned Islamic scholar and author - OurBeacon.com
"Saleena Karim's close reading of Jinnah's speeches concludes that the father of Pakistan was not an ideologue who demanded that the new nation be an exact model of a western capitalist society. She claims he rather wanted Muslims to work for a more humane social order, one that would reflect the core Islamic principles of justice and compassion for all."
Prof. Sheila McDonough, Adjunct Professor, Department of Religion, Concordia University (Prof. McDonough is one of the foremost scholars of Islam in South Asia)
"(The book) is a well-documented and thoroughly researched treatise about the views of the Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah as to the future setup of Pakistan. The book demolishes convincingly Chief Justice Munir's assertion in his book from Jinnah to Zia that: 'the pattern of Government which the Quaid-i-Azam had in mind was a secular democratic government'. ... (The) Quaid opposed theocracy and did not talk of secularism but pleaded for an Islamic State. The author must be congratulated on this publication which will be welcomed by all, especially the scholars and intellectuals."
Syed Sharifuddin Pirzada, former Honorary Secretary to Jinnah (1941-44) and Foreign Minister of Pakistan
"Your book is excellent. Every page has the impress of thorough research and careful documentation. The source material that you have used and have mentioned in the book is reliable and intelligently selected. ... I hope more books on the Quaid and Pakistan will follow from your pen."
Qutubuddin Aziz, former Pakistani diplomat and distinguished journalist and broadcaster
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